TV

Freshwater Mussels

OPB |
Oct. 27, 2006 10 a.m.
| Updated: April 2, 2015 6:04 a.m.

This video is not currently available. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Dr. Jason Dunham of US Geological Survey studies the rare Western Pearl Shell mussel in Oregon’s Steamboat Creek. The Pearl Shell can live for up to 200 years. They also have growth rings similar to trees, by studying these growth rings scientist can better understand how the streams ecosystem has changed, in some cases over decades. This new field of research could also help to better understand the effects of climate change and global warming.